Timed actuating mechanism



W 195? W. G. VAN DQRN ETAL TIMED ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 21, 1966 INVENTORS WILLIAM G. VANDORN BY HARRY F. FOGLEMAN yam 46M United States Patent fitice 3,319,595 Patented May 16, 1967 3,319,595 TIMED ACTUATING MECHANHSM William G. Van Born, 6611 Muirlands Drive, La .lolla, Calif. 92037, and Harry 1*. Fogleinan, San Diego, Calif.; said Fogleman assigner to said Van Dorn Filed Jan. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 522,108 6 Claims. (Cl. 114206) The present invention relates to a timed actuating mechanism and more particularly to a timed actuating mechanism for releasing submerged apparatus after a predetermined time.

In certain applications of oceanographic instrumentation it is not always possible or desirable to connect submerged apparatus such as recording instruments to a surface vessel or shore station by electric cable. It becomes necessary in these cases to employ a timed release device which will allow the submerged instruments to float to the surface after a predetermined period of time, leaving behind an expendable anchor.

According to the invention, a timed release mechanism is provided of which the timing mechanism basically consists of a spring biased metallic link, the spring and link being made of dissimilar metals forming an electrochemical cell when immersed in an electrolytic solution such as sea Water. The instruments to be returned are mechanically attached to one end of the mechanism and the anchor to the other end. As the link disintegrates through electrochemical action, it will eventually weaken to the point where the spring will cause it to part allowing the end with the instrument attached (which can be made buoyant by any conventional means) to float to the surface.

It has been found empirically that, while the dimensions of the link and spring together with spacing between them and the spring tension are controlling parameters affecting the time of parting of the link, the timing period can be more accurately determined if the internal current of the electrochemical cell is regulated. Hence, a solid state current regulator is preferably included for more closely determining the release time of the device. The utilization of a current regulator also provide a convenient means for varying the release time by varying the electric current through the electrochemical cell.

A broad object of the invention is to provide an improved act-uating mechanism which can be accurately timed.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved timed marine release device for releasing submerged apparatus after a predetermined interval.

Another object is to provide a timed marine release device for releasing submerged apparatus in which the time of release can be simply and accurately varied.

Still another object is to provide a timed marine release device which is extremely dependable.

' A still further object is the provision of a marine timed release device which can be used an indefinite number of times.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a timed marine release device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and requires a minimum of maintenance and adjustment.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better under-stood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the current regulator of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the transfer characteristics of one component of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, eye member 11 has a reduced diameter portion 12 which is slidably and rotatably received within bore 13 of bushing 14. Shoulder 16 of eye member 11 abuts end 17 of bushing 14. Bushing 14 is threadably engaged with cylindrical housing 13. Eye member 19 has a reduced diameter portion 21 which is slidably and rotatably received within cylindrical housing 18 and has a shoulder 22 which abuts end 23 of housing 18 and is fixedly attached thereto as by brazing at 24.

Guide 26 is slidably received within housing 18 and terminates on one end of a bearing keeper 27 which together with recess 28 of eye member 11 defines a channel holding ball bearings 29 therein. Bearing seat 31 furdefines the said ball bearing channel.

Compression spring 32 is slidably received within guide 26 and is held on one end by shoulder 33 of insulating chuck 34 and on the other end by shoulder 36 of collar 35. Guide 26 is slidably received by keeper 27 and attached thereto as by silver soldering at 3%. Collar 35 has a shoulder 38 abutting the other end of guide 26 and another shoulder 39 abutting surface 41 of chuck 42.

Chuck 34 has a bore 46 for receiving metallic link 37. Metallic link 37 has a widened portion 5% terminating in a slot end at 49, the said portion being slidably received by counter bore 511 of insulating chuck 34. Shoulder 51 of metallic link 37 limits its travel.

Chuck 42 has a bore 52 and a counter bore 53 for receiving metallic insert 5 5. Metallic insert 54 has a threaded bore 56 for threadable engagement with the other end of metallic link 37.

Compression spring 58 is slidably received within cylindrical housing 18 and is captured on one end between annular extension 59 of eye member 19 and cylindrical housing 19 and on the other end between regulator assembly 61 and cylindrical housing 18. This end abuts shoulder 3% of collar 35. Regulator assembly 61 has an outside ccntainer 62 which is slidably received between collar 35 and chuck 42. Bayonet pins 53 link guide 26, collar 35, container 62, and chuck 4 2. Slotted shaft 64 extends from container 62 within compression spring 58. Ports 65 in cylindrical housing 18 and guide as (only one illustrated) allow free flow of sea water through spring 32 and link 37.

Referring to FIG. 2, metallic link 37 is shown schematicaily as the positive terminal of a battery 86. This terminal is connected to the positive terminal of battery 87 through variable resistance 88 to emitter of transistor 91. Base 92 of transistor 91 is connected to emitter 93 of transistor 94. Collector 96 of transistor 91 is connected to collector 97 of transistor 9- and to the negative terminal of battery 98. Base 99 of transistor 94 is connected to the negative terminal of battery 87. Negative terminal 32 of battery is connected to the positive terminal of battery 98 and through resistance 101 to one side of tunnel diode 1412. The other side of tunnel diode 102 is connected to emitter 89 of transistor 91.

Referring to FIG. 3, a graph is shown having its vertical axis labeled E and its horizontal axis labeled 1. A curve 111 is shown having levels 112, 113, 114 and 116 shown thereon.

Operation It is contemplated that suitable I 3 to be used for securing of recording equipment, etc., which is made buoyant by suitable floats attached thereto. When the entire assembly is submerged, sea Water will enter through ports 65 and flow freely through compression spring 32 and metallic link 37. This will form an electrochemical cell, metallic link 37 being the positive terminal and compression spring 32 the negative terminal. Metallic link 3'7 can be constructed of any suitable alloy such as aluminum magnesium alloys for example. Compression spring 32 is preferably stainless steel because of its commercial availability, but can be constructed of any suitable metal cooperating with metallic link 37 to form an electrochemical cell. Current will flow from the magnesium link 37 through the sea water to compression spring 32, the circuit being completed by collar 35 and metallic outside container 62 of regulator 61. Current from the regulator 61 will pass through threaded insert 54, which is preferably constructed of brass, back to magnesium link 37.

As the current flows in this circuit, the magnesium link will decompose until it weakens to the point that the compression spring 32, acting against collar 35, will cause it to part toward eye member 19. In this regard, it is noted that compression spring 32 is stronger than compression spring 58 causing compression spring 58 to compress further as metallic link 37 parts. Guide 26 carries bearing keeper 27 to the right with it allowing ball bearings 29 to move outwardly from the pressure to the left of recess 28 of eye member 11. When this happens (compression is also being applied against shoulder 33 of chuck 34), chuck 34 forces eye member '11 out through bore 13 of bushing 14. As chuck 34 travels to the left, reduced diameter portion 30 of chuck 34 holds ball bearings 29 in an outward position and prevents any part of the assembly from escaping through bore 13. Eye member 11 together with its anchor secured thereto is expendable and left at the bottom of the ocean. The entire assembly then will float to the surface and can be .re-used by merely replacing link 37 and eye member 11.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electrical circuitry is shown in schematic form. Transistors 91 and 94 are connected in a Darlington configuration for increased stability with a minimum of current and parts. Rechargeable battery 98 and electrochemical cell 36 are in series with the collectoremitter circuit of both transistors 91 and 94. Variable resistance 88, which is controlled by slotted shaft 64 on regulator 61 (FIG. 1) controls the bias on both transistors 91 and 97 which will control the current through cell 86. Bias cell 87 sets an initial limiting bias on transistor 94.

Tunnel diode 102 is normally conducting in the high voltage, low current condition shown in FIG. 3 at the intersection of dotted lines 112 and 114. Upon a failure of a transistor o rbattery 98, the voltage across the tunnel diode and series limiting resistance 101 would increase, and with an increase in current would result in the condition of lower voltage and higher current across the tunnel diode itself shown by the intersection of dotted lines 113 and 116 in FIG. 3. This insures that, should a transistor failure occur or a failure of battery 98 for example, the current will continue to flow through electrochemical cell 36 resulting in the eventual deterioration of magnesium link 37 and the return of the unit together with the attached instruments, etc., to the surface.

It should be understood of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein with any suitable electrolyte and utilized in any desired environment.

What is claimed is:

1. A timed actuating mechanism comprising:

a compression spring retained by first and second mounting means;

a metallic link disposed axially within said compression spring and insulated therefrom;

said metallic link being carried by said first and second mounting means and defining the distance between first and second mounting means;

said metallic link being dimensioned for causing said compression spring to be in a compressed condition between said first and second mounting means;

an electric current regulating means electrically connected between said metallic link and said tension spring, whereby upon immersion in an electrically conducting medium said metallic link and said tension spring form an electrochemical cell which upon conduction of electrical current between said metallic link and said tension spring through said electrically conducting medium cause said metallic link to decompose and part.

2. The release device of claim 1 and further including:

an anchoring means; and

a detachable coupling means, said detachable coupling means rotatably coupling said anchoring means and one of said first and second mounting means.

3. The release device of claim 1 wherein:

said current regulator comprises a transistor current regulator.

4. The release device of claim 1 and further including:

a bi-stable conductive means electrically connected across said metallic link and said tension spring, said bi-stable conductive means operable to reduce its electrical resistance upon a failure of said current regulating means for maintaining a current between said metallic link and said tension spring upon a failure of said current regulating means when submerged in an aqueous medium.

5. The release device of claim 1 and further including adjusting means for adjusting the electrical current between said metallic link and said tension spring.

6. A timed actuating mechanism of claim 1 and further including a housing means, said housing means having first and second ends and being substantially cylindrical? a first restraining means, said first restraining means dis-- posed in said first end of said containing means; a second restraining means in said second end of said containing means, said second restraining means having a bore therein; a coupling shaft slideably and rotatably received within said bore, said coupling shaft having a 'recessed'portion past an inside surface of said second restraining means;

a plurality of ball bearings disposed around said recessed portion of said shaft;

a bearing keeper surrounding said shaft and said ball bearings and defining a passageway for said ball bearings; and

a guide slideably received within said housing member and fixedly attached to said bearing keeper and one of said first and second mounting means, whereby upon the decomposing and parting of said metallic link and movement of said one of first and second mounting means away from said second restraining means, said bearing keeper will release the said ball bearings and the said shaft may be slideably removed from said-bore.

No references cited.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TIMED ACTUATING MECHANISM COMPRISING: A COMPRESSION SPRING RETAINED BY FIRST AND SECOND MOUNTING MEANS; A METALLIC LINK DISPOSED AXIALLY WITHIN SAID COMPRESSION SPRING AND INSULATED THEREFROM; SAID METALLIC LINK BEING CARRIED BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND MOUNTING MEANS AND DEFINING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND MOUNTING MEANS; SAID METALLIC LINK BEING DIMENSIONED FOR CAUSING SAID COMPRESSION SPRING TO BE IN A COMPRESSED CONDITION BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MOUNTING MEANS; AN ELECTRIC CURRENT REGULATING MEANS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID METALLIC LINK AND SAID TENSION SPRING, WHEREBY UPON IMMERSION IN AN ELECTRICALLY 